Anadolu Agency: News in English, 98-11-27

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From: The Anadolu Agency Home Page at <http://www.anadoluajansi.gov.tr/>

27 NOV 1998

CONTENTS

[01] BOMB ATTACK ON A PASSENGER BUS - FOUR PERSONS KILLED AND 20 OTHERS INJURED

[02] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION MOTIONS GIVEN AGAINST PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND TANER, FORMER MINISTER OF STATE RELATED WITH TURKBANK TENDER

[03] PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACCEPTS INVESTIGATION MOTION GIVEN AGAINST PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ AND FORMER TRANSPORTATION MINISTER NECDET MENZIR

[04] ROTH, CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OF HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: - ''OCALAN IS ONE OF THE MOST BLOODY-HANDED UNIVERSAL MURDERERS OF THE WORLD''

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''INTEGRATION OF POLITICS IN TURKEY REQIRES TWO MORE ELECTIONS''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH CILLER, LEADER OF THE TRUE PATH PARTY - CILLER: - ''GENERAL ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE POSTPONED''

[07] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS

[08] ISTANBUL TO HOST THE NEXT OSCE SUMMIT

[09] DEMIREL-BAYKAL MEETING - BAYKAL: ''CREATING DISCUSSION ABOUT DATE AND METHOD OF ELECTION WILL NOT FACILITATE STUDIES TO ESTABLISH GOVERNMENT''

[10] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SENDS LETTERS TO NATO SECRETARY GENERAL AND DEFENSE MINISTERS

[11] DEMIREL-ECEVIT MEETING ENDED - ECEVIT: ''THE GOVERNMENT MODEL, WHICH WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A PROBLEM FOR THE REGIME IS A GOVERNMENT WHICH ANAP AND DYP PARTICIPATE''

[12] FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN UZBEKISTAN - TURKEY IS THE SECOND LEADING COUNTRY IN FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

[13] BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (BBC) TAKES A POOL ON WHETHER OCALAN SHOULD BE EXTRADITED OR NOT - 68 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS DEFEND EXTRATIDITION OF OCALAN

[14] DENIZOLGUN, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION: - ''TURKISH PLANE COMPANIES CARRY 56.2 PERCENT OF THE PASSENGERS COMING TO TURKEY FROM ABROAD''

[15] JUSTICE MINISTRY SENDS EXTRADITION FILE OF OCALAN TO FOREIGN MINISTRY

[16] PETITION FROM FAMILIES WHOSE RELATIVES WERE KILLED BY THE PKK TO ITALIAN GOVERNMENT - THE BALIKESIR FAMILIES OF MARTYRS ASSOCIATION REQUESTS EXTRADITION OF OCALAN

[17] DEMIREL-CINDORUK MEETING - CINDORUK: ''WHAT WE WANT IS A BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT''

[18] SECOND TURKISH-FRENCH STRATEGIC MEETING - CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: ''EU IS DEPRIVED OF HAVING STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INCIDENTS''

[19] PRESS CONFERENCE OF TEMIZEL ''WE WILL SUBMIT TRANSISTORY BUDGET TO GOVERNMENT IF A NEW GOVERNMENT CAN NOT BE ESTABLISHED TILL DECEMBER 15''

[20] WEU PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEETINGS TO START IN PARIS - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO REPRESENT TURKEY

[01] BOMB ATTACK ON A PASSENGER BUS - FOUR PERSONS KILLED AND 20 OTHERS INJURED

Officials told the A.A correspondent that the bomb, thought to be a time- controlled device, was placed in the luggage department of the bus which was on its way to Ankara from Sivas, and it went off near Kirikkale Province.

Meanwhile, it was determined that most of the passengers were the relatives of the supporters of fundamentalist Metin Kaplan who were detained last month for allegedly plotting an attack on the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern and secular Turkey, during the ceremonies for the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey. They were reportedly on their way to visit the relatives in an Ankara prison.

Ahmet Demir (aged 65), Aklima Demir (aged 12), Żbrahim Varlik (aged 40) and Emine Kavak were killed at the blast while Ismail Gedik, Murat Yildirim, Nimet Demir, Furkan Demir, Ayse Nurdan, Nigar Koc, Hatice Cakmak, Enes Cakmak, Sultan Varlik, Gokhan Tinaz, Serdar Bulut, Aysenur Demir, Idris Yildirim, Nigar Koc, Kudret Cinli, Saadet Cosman, Pervis Cosman, Taha Cosman, Gulcan Pinar and Abdullah Harun Koc were injured.

The injured passengers were taken to the Kirikkale State Hospital and the Ankara Numune Hospital.

A full investigation regarded with the incident is underway.

[02] PARLIAMENTARY INVESTIGATION MOTIONS GIVEN AGAINST PRIME MINISTER YILMAZ AND TANER, FORMER MINISTER OF STATE RELATED WITH TURKBANK TENDER

The Parliamentary investigation motion given against Yilmaz and Taner was accepted after a voting in Parliamentary General Assembly.

55th Government, which was under the leadership of Mesut Yilmaz, was toppled by the Parliament on Wednesday as a result of the censure motion given on the same issue.

[03] PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACCEPTS INVESTIGATION MOTION GIVEN AGAINST PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ AND FORMER TRANSPORTATION MINISTER NECDET MENZIR

Speaking on the interrogation motions Necdet Menzir, former Minister of Transportation said, ''this is the best global system for mobile communications (GSM) agreement of the world.'' Menzir also said the state profited 2.8 billion US dollars with this agreement, adding that the money was given in advance and that this was also a success.

Menzir noted that he did not make a meeting with a company related with privatization issue and defended that the interrogation motion did not have legal base. ''You are behaving unjust to me with those allegations,'' he said.

[04] ROTH, CHAIRMAN OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OF HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: - ''OCALAN IS ONE OF THE MOST BLOODY-HANDED UNIVERSAL MURDERERS OF THE WORLD''

Kenneth Roth, the Chairman of the Executive Board of Human Rights Watch defined Ocalan as one of the murderers such as General Augusto Pinochet, the former dictator of Chile, Theoneste Bagosora, the architect of the genocide in Rwanda, and Radovan Karadzic who claimed thousands of lives in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Pointing out that 1998 was a bad year for such bloody-handed murderers, Roth stressed that the good fortune of those who violate human rights, has began to reduce in 1998. He reminded that the British Higher Court have decided to extradite Pinochet to Spain, Bagosoro was captured in Cameroon and now it is Ocalan's turn to be judged.

Roth stated that they hope Ocalan to be extradited and brought to justice with the accusations of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Defining the crimes against humanity, genocide and war crimes as ''universal'', Roth emphasized that significant steps have been taken on establishing an international court to judge such criminals.

The Human Rights Watch had sent a letter to Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema previously, requesting Ocalan to be judged and brought to justice. The letter also stressed that Ocalan should account for the terrorist and brutal crimes he committed in Turkey.

[05] PRESIDENT DEMIREL: ''INTEGRATION OF POLITICS IN TURKEY REQIRES TWO MORE ELECTIONS''

Addressing the opening ceremony of a hospital, Demirel said the most important event in front of Turkey is the political stability, adding that ''I have difficulties in saying how stability will be provided, yet I can say the reason of instability, that is the devastation of many parties.''

''I don't want to speak ill of anybody. Yet, if there are 10 parties within the Parliament and if it is not possible to bring these together, there will be problems. What is important is Turkey's passing to market economy, exclusion of state from industry and trade, and saving business world from being linked with politics,'' President Demirel said, adding that ''we were not able to prevent fluctuations in politics so far.''

Demirel said some of the daily problems can be attributed to crisis in the world, adding that ''especially, the crisis in textile field could not be overcomed totally. The new government which will be established should save industry from the situation it has fallen. Industry organizations should put measures in front of the government. I will call for the new government to attribute importance to exportation.''

Demirel also pointed out that it was the public who will give directions to the politics, adding that people should not be deprived of owning the country in accordance with the principle ''the sovereignty is unconditionally belongs to people.''

[06] PRESIDENT DEMIREL MEETS WITH CILLER, LEADER OF THE TRUE PATH PARTY - CILLER: - ''GENERAL ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT BE POSTPONED''

Addressing the journalists after the meeting which lasted for one hour, Ciller pointed out that her party defends the general elections that was scheduled to be held in April 18, 1998, should not be postponed to a further date.

Ciller stressed that holding local and parliamentary elections together is a necessity in accordance with the Constitution, if there will not be a change on the Constitution.

Mentioning the issue of changing the 83rd article of Constitution regarded with the immunity of the deputies, Ciller noted that their attitude towards such a change will be positive.

Ciller told the reporters, ''I told President Demirel that we can support a government which will be established within the framework of the several principles such as the strengtening democracy in Turkey, giving confidence to the internal and external economic environments, launching efforts against the separatist terrorist organization PKK which has started to become political in Europe, and struggling against corruptions and gangs.''

[07] COUNCIL OF MINISTERS MEETING ENDS

Sukru Sina Gurel, Minister of State and Government Spokesman, following the Council of Ministers meeting which was led by Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, briefed about the issues taken up during the meeting.

Gurel said that the Council of Ministers decided to take up draft resolution on Bank Law, legal arrangements, prepared by harmonization commission, which will facilitate citizens abroad to cast votes, and the draft resolution which makes changes in provisions that will be implemented on some criminals.

Recalling that the government got no-confidence vote in the Parliament on Wednesday, Gurel said the government, in order not to leave the state without a budget, decided to submit a transistory Budget Draft to the Parliament in the coming days.

When asked about the period of the transistory budget, Gurel said there was a budget by the end of 1998, adding that the period of the transistory budget will be decided as an outcome of the technical studies in Finance Ministry and the developments that will happen in the coming days.

Responding to a question about the extradition of the chief of separatist terrorist organization, Gurel said Justice Ministry carries out a study to this end, adding that Foreign Ministry will also continue required contacts in this respect.

[08] ISTANBUL TO HOST THE NEXT OSCE SUMMIT

The OSCE sources told the A.A correspondent that the heads of states and governments of 54 member countries will come together at the summit.

The date of the summit will be determined at the OSCE Council of Ministers meeting in Oslo, the capital of Norway, between 2 and 3 December.

The OSCE Summit will be the most significant summit which Turkey have hosted so far.

Armenia has been objecting the summit to be held in Istanbul, but Vartan Oskanyan, the Armenian Foreign Minister, said on Tuesday that they would not raise objection to the resolution any more.

[09] DEMIREL-BAYKAL MEETING - BAYKAL: ''CREATING DISCUSSION ABOUT DATE AND METHOD OF ELECTION WILL NOT FACILITATE STUDIES TO ESTABLISH GOVERNMENT''

Speaking after his meeting with President Suleyman Demirel, Baykal said establishing a government is something very difficult, adding that the government should be established soon.

Baykal pointed out that there are two formulas, one is the establishment of a majority coalition government in which several parties in the Parliament come together, the other is establishment of a compromise government by reaching an agreement around a Prime Minister that will be appointed by President Demirel.

Baykal said their choice was the second alternative, adding that ''the ones who acquitted themselves and supported each other in the Parliament may form such a coalition. This is their own choice.''

[10] SEZGIN, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SENDS LETTERS TO NATO SECRETARY GENERAL AND DEFENSE MINISTERS

Sezgin in the letter said there were conflicted threats, composed of ambiguity and risks, in front of the alliance, at a time when we are approaching to 21st century and identified them as ''ethnic nationalism and radical religious movements, spreading of mass destruction weapons, drug trafficking and terrorism.''

Stressing that all countries should act together against terrorism, which is an international crime, and that terrorism should not be tolarated whichever country it targets, Sezgin said ''today, many countries struggle against terrorist organizations who act under different names. I think it will be beneficial if NATO countries, as a whole, develop a struggle method against terrorism.''

''We can start this struggle with the extradition of Ocalan to Turkey and his judgement due to the crimes he committed'' Sezgin said, adding that this organization, which carry out terrorism and organized crime activities in Turkey and in Europe since the year 1984, claimed the lives of 30,000 people including security forces and innocent civilians.

Sezgin said it is impossible to disclose Turkish Public sheltering of this terrorist in an ally country in guest status, adding that ''we should struggle against threats shoulder to shoulder.'' He also said, ''I have the full belief that you will expend required support on the issue of extradition of chief of separatist terrorist organization to Turkey.''

[11] DEMIREL-ECEVIT MEETING ENDED - ECEVIT: ''THE GOVERNMENT MODEL, WHICH WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A PROBLEM FOR THE REGIME IS A GOVERNMENT WHICH ANAP AND DYP PARTICIPATE''

Following a meeting with Suleyman Demirel, the President; Ecevit told reporters that ''we will fulfill our responsibilities if the parts decide in this government model.''

Ecevit added that his party would wait for ANAP and DYP to show their stances on this issue.

Emphasizing his expectations, ideas, and hopes concerning the establihment of a new government to Demirel, Ecevit pointed out that it was not the right time to topple the government and that the budget could not pass from the Grand National Assembly (TBMM) at this moment.

Recalling that the agreement between Mesut Yżlmaz, the Prime Minister, and Deniz Baykal, the Chairman of Republican Peoples' Party (CHP) foresaw the withdrawal of the government in December, Ecevit said, ''the parties which topple the present government should have a new model in their minds. Otherwise, it will be unwise to topple the government. It should be seen whether there is a model or not in the parties minds.''

Stressing that he could listen to only a part of the statements of Tansu Ciller, the chairwoman of DYP, Ecevit said, ''I come to the idea that Ciller does not have a government model in mind. Thus, there will be new searches of government.''

Responding to a question of the journalists about Ciller's ideas about taking the election closer, Ecevit said that they believed that the present government could rehabilitate the country without the necessity of an election. Ecevit added that April 18, the previously determined date, was appropiate for the election considering the weather conditions.

Recalling that his party proposed the elections to be held in November or December, Ecevit also said, ''the elections could be held in these months, however this proposal was rejected. Now, the election time should not be changed.''

[12] FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN UZBEKISTAN - TURKEY IS THE SECOND LEADING COUNTRY IN FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

''UN Report on the Foreign Investments in Uzbekistan'' stated that a total of 85 million dollars of investment was realized in Uzbekistan and that South Korea, the US and Britain stood at the top of the list concerning the foreign investments in this country.

In this report, Turkey became the second leading country in investment field on company basis in Uzbekistan with a number of 328 companies previously and newly registered in 1998.

In the list done by taking the number of firms which invested in Uzbekistan into consideration, Russia stood at the top of the list with 447 companies and followed by Turkey (328 companies), the US (255 companies), Britain (117 companies) and Germany (108 companies).

The report also showed that the total of foreign investment volume in Uzbekistan is expected to reach 300 million dollars by the end of this year.

[13] BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION (BBC) TAKES A POOL ON WHETHER OCALAN SHOULD BE EXTRADITED OR NOT - 68 PERCENT OF PARTICIPANTS DEFEND EXTRATIDITION OF OCALAN

According to the results of the pool, 68 percent of participant defended the extradition of Ocalan while 32 percent wanted him to stay in Italy.

The BBC reminded that Turkish businessmen have began to boycott the Italian goods and the European Champions' League match between Galatasaray and FC Juventus clubs was delayed as a result of the escalating tension between Turkey and Italy over the issue of extradition of Ocalan.

[14] DENIZOLGUN, MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION: - ''TURKISH PLANE COMPANIES CARRY 56.2 PERCENT OF THE PASSENGERS COMING TO TURKEY FROM ABROAD''

Responding to the questions of A.A correspondent, Denizolgun stated that the private airline companies as well as Turkish Airlines (THY) flew to many places in Turkey and abroad.

Denizolgun said, ''the number of flights of Turkish airline companies have reached to 132 and the capacity of passengers reached to 22,776. Parallel to the advances supported by our Ministry, the weight and share of our country in international market is increasing day by day.''

Stressing that Turkey had bilateral air transportation accords with 87 countries, Denizolgun emphasized that in this perspective, a total of 63 local and foreign airline companies had flights to Turkey, that THY flew to 100 places abroad and that about 120 foreign airline companies had ''charter'' flights to Turkey.

Pointing out to the fact that last year a total of 403,814 flights, 197,103 of which were domestic and 206,711 of which were foreign, were realized in the airports operated by General Directorate of Public Airports (DHMI), Denizolgun said more than 34 million passengers travelled by Turkish airlines in 1997.

Denizolgun also stressed that this year a 4.6 percent increase was realized in the first 10 months of this year compared to that of last year.

Denizolgun added that 1.2 percent increase was realized in passenger transportation in the same period.

[15] JUSTICE MINISTRY SENDS EXTRADITION FILE OF OCALAN TO FOREIGN MINISTRY

Hasan Denizkurdu, Justice Minister, also attached a letter to the file which he wrote addressing Oliviero Diliberto, Italian Justice Minister. In the letter, Denizkurdu recalled that Ocalan was a terrorist responsible for the killings of 30,000 innocent people and mentioned about the importance of Italy's decision related with the extradition.

The extradition file is composed of four folders and 900 pages and include documents and information about the crimes of terrorism, drug trafficking, massacres and bomb attacks of separatist terrorist organization. There are also photographs and video tapes of the massacres committed by the PKK.

The file also gave information about the draft resolution which foresaw lifting of capital punishment and pointed out that Ocalan was a terrorist who committed crimes against humanity and that this issue was not political and that Ocalan realized most of his terrorist activities in Turkey, so he must be judged in Turkey.

Turkey should convey this file to Italian authorities until Dec 22.

[16] PETITION FROM FAMILIES WHOSE RELATIVES WERE KILLED BY THE PKK TO ITALIAN GOVERNMENT - THE BALIKESIR FAMILIES OF MARTYRS ASSOCIATION REQUESTS EXTRADITION OF OCALAN

In the petition, the Italian government is urged not to grant Abdullah Ocalan, the chief of the separatist terrorist organization PKK, with political asylum and to extradite him to Turkey.

Meanwhile representatives will also present Bandini the list of the names of 150 martyrs from Balikesir Province who were killed by the separatist terrorists.

[17] DEMIREL-CINDORUK MEETING - CINDORUK: ''WHAT WE WANT IS A BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT''

Speaking after his meeting with President Suleyman Demirel, Cindoruk said Turkey's economic, social and diplomatic problems should be solved before the early elections.

Cindoruk said required arrangements should be made for elections, adding that he told President Demirel that overcoming Turkey's problems should be thought of at first.

Pointing out that they preferred a broad-based government, Cindoruk said ''the government in which Yilmaz and Ecevit are included, got a no- confidence vote. They should not participate in the government.''

Cindoruk also said they want the local and general elections to be separated, adding that ''if the two elections take place at the same time, than there will be chaos.''

Cindoruk said it will be easy to establish a government. ''Yet,'' he added, ''a parliament agenda should be revealed at first in which all parties agree on and which will issue Tender Law and Political Ethics Law.''

[18] SECOND TURKISH-FRENCH STRATEGIC MEETING - CEM, FOREIGN MINISTER: ''EU IS DEPRIVED OF HAVING STRATEGIC APPROACH TO INCIDENTS''

Addressing opening ceremony of second Turkish-French Strategic meeting, Cem said relations between Turkey and France are positive in general, adding that point of view of the two countries to the concept of state are parallel.

Cem said, ''Turkey and France are two effective countries throughout the country and the point of views of these countries to the developments are important. With the end of cold war, strategic balances are spoilt. There were two power centers controlling each other in the world. At this stage, the remaining one can feel itself limitless. We are going towards the formation of a new balance center like the EU. France is a candidate country to play a pioneer role in formation of the power center. Also, Turkey has an important influence in a different geography.''

Noting that Turkey approach to incidents in a wide range and discussed several concepts again, Cem said, ''we have no suspicion about our European identity. Being a European and Asian is not a loss for us, but an advantage in geopolitical field.''

Cem pointed out that Turkey and France have joint strategies having a growing importance and added that ''the Middle East is one of these joint strategies. France is interested in the Middle East historically, culturally and economically. This important geography has a vital importance for Turkey.''

Cem said countries who form EU has a serious strategy understanding, adding that ''France, Germany or Britain approach incidents seriously. Yet, when we look at the general, we see that there is a strategy deficiency. There is an introverted structure in whole of EU. It seems lacking a strategic formation.''

[19] PRESS CONFERENCE OF TEMIZEL ''WE WILL SUBMIT TRANSISTORY BUDGET TO GOVERNMENT IF A NEW GOVERNMENT CAN NOT BE ESTABLISHED TILL DECEMBER 15''

Addressing a news conference, Temizel said assumptions were brought to the agenda that a new government will be established in a very short period of time following the collapse of the government with a censure motion rapidly. Temizel said they decided for a transistory budget to this end.

Temizel said various provisions like transistory workers, arrangements about tax and stock exchange and measures against supporting of exportation, that were put in 1999 budget draft resolution will be included in the transistory budget.

[20] WEU PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY MEETINGS TO START IN PARIS - FOREIGN MINISTER CEM TO REPRESENT TURKEY

Ismail Cem, the Foreign Minister, will represert Turkey at the meetings and address the session in 1 December to respond to the questions of the parliamentarians.

Meanwhile Carlo Scognamiglio, Italian Defense Minister, Lamberto Dini, Italian Foreign Minister, George Robertson, British Defense Minister, and President Peter Stoyanov of Bulgaria will also make speeches during the meetings.

The WEU meetings will focus on the issues such as the relations of the WEU, the NATO and the European Union (EU), the command of the WEU operations, political and legal results of the expansion of the WEU and the crises in the Balkans.

A Turkish parliamentary delegation will participate at the meetings between 30 November and 3 December.

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